The Rite of Installation of Pastor Christopher Martin was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church of McConnellsburg on Saturday with around 90 attending the special event. Among those attending were guests from Mt. Zion and St. Paul’s of Big Cove Tannery and Little Cove. Special piano music was presented by his wife, Lindsay Martin. A delicious meal followed in the social room. The installation was officiated by Rev. Roy A. Steward of the Altoona area.

Mark and Rhonda Weller observed their 33rd wedding anniversary on March 19.

Sympathy goes out to the family of Hazel Deshong, who passed way last Friday.

Betty Hershey has returned to her home after spending a couple months in Fulton County Medical Center.

Congratulations to area basketball players who were placed on the Sideling Hill League All- Stars. Named to the first team were Jesse Newman of Forbes Road and Luke Mellott of Southern Fulton. Second team players were Tanner Henry of Forbes Road; Ryan Defibaugh, Mc- Connellsburg; and Ryan Harper of Southern Fulton. Girls basketball first team member was Lacey Beatty of Southern Fulton. Trent Black of Forbes Road was an honorable mention pick. Second team girls were Kali Hockensmith of Forbes Road and Chelsie Eader of Southern Fulton.

Area students on the Public Opinion girls basketball all-stars were first team Lacey Beatty and Chelsie Eader of Southern Fulton; and second team honors went to Kali Hockensmith of Forbes Road. Honorable mention went to Jenna Hollenshead and Amy Bard, both from Southern Fulton; Casey Pollock, Mc- Connellsburg; and Jess Gearhart of Forbes Road.

Local photographer Anne Harvey, McConnellsburg, has had one of her photographs published in a national magazine. The photo is used to illustrate the article, “House (Wrecking) Wrens” on page 12 of the April/May issue of “National Wildlife,” the magazine of the National Wildlife Federation. Anne took the photo of the wren gathering sticks to build a nest in the wren box in the backyard of her brother’s home near Windber. Bird photography is one of Anne’s specialities. She shoots using a Canon 40D digital SLR. She is a member of the Fulton County Art Club and exhibits her work at the Fulton County Art Show at the Fulton Fall Folk Festival, among other venues.

Ed and Tracey Truax and daughters enjoyed a overnight trip to Lancaster to sightsee and celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary.

Quotable quotes: Love doesn’t make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

It happened this week: Managers of the American Bell Telephone Co. in Boston and New York City chatted during the first long-distance phone call in 1884. The cost of the connection was $2 – the equivalent of $47 today.

Country shortcuts: Planning a spring yard sale? Use an old egg carton to sort change for a fast and easy way to give change.

Spring arrived on Saturday with temperatures above normal.

Get well wishes to Cassidy Pittman, 20, who recently had surgery in Conemaugh Hospital in Johnstown, where she was a patient for more than a week. If you would like to send her a card, the address is 619 South Fourth Street, Indiana, PA 15701. She is now at home recuperating.